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Run or walk for the children of Gaza in Washington, DC

17 May 2013

17 May 2013

Washington, DC

American Friends of UNRWA (AFU) invites you to join the 2nd annual Gaza Solidarity 5K Walk/Run (and 1 mile fun walk option) on 8 June 2013 in Washington, DC. This family-friendly 5K provides a rare opportunity for people living in the United States to show their solidarity with the children of Gaza. Held at Washington DC’s beautiful Rock Creek Park, this event is the perfect 5K for parents with strollers, children, walkers, and serious runners alike. Funds raised through the Gaza Solidarity 5K Walk/Run will go to UNRWA’s ongoing summer youth activities, providing critical psycho-social support for children in Gaza. Last year, the event raised over US$ 50,000 for the children of Gaza, and this year we hope raise more!

Visit firstgiving.com/unrwausa today to register for the Gaza Solidarity 5K. If you can’t make it to DC for the race, you can still show your support by fundraising for the race, donating to a runner, or just by spreading the word.

Join the movement to be a champion to the children of Gaza today!

We would like to extend a special thank you to our generous sponsors: Consolidated Contractors Company, Bank of Palestine, the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey, Azzad Asset Management, ANERA, and the Arab-American Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC).

AFU is an independent non-profit organization that provides support for the humanitarian work of the United Natoins Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) through advocacy, fundraising and education. AFU aims to educate the general American public about the situation of Palestine refugees and generate support for UNRWA’s programmes in the Jordan, the occupied Palestinian territory, Syria and Lebanon. US taxpayers are eligible for tax deductions for donations made through AFU.

To learn more about the work of American Friends of UNRWA, visit AFU’s website.

Background Information

UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to a population of some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their plight. UNRWA’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, and microfinance.

Financial support to UNRWA has not kept pace with an increased demand for services caused by growing numbers of registered refugees, expanding need, and deepening poverty. As a result, the Agency's General Fund (GF), supporting UNRWA’s core activities and 97 per cent reliant on voluntary contributions, has begun each year with a large projected deficit. Currently the deficit stands at US$ 100 million.